Ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery. Ephesians 3:2, 3.
Through divine revelation, the plan of salvation, as wrought out by Christ, was laid open to Paul. Called of God, he was to teach men that from a state of hopelessness, dead in trespasses and sins, there was deliverance through the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was life and power to reach forth unto holiness. Because of these revelations, Paul was blessed with a marvelous insight. Though he could not present to others all that he himself had seen, yet he was firmly rooted and grounded in the truth. No suffering or reproach could ever lead him to deny the great truths that had been revealed to him. No presentation of false theories could lead him away from the influence of the grand views he had received of heavenly things…. The gospel as presented by Paul in his writings is just as powerful today as when it was written. To men in all ages is made known the rich treasures of the grace of Christ, the abundant love of God as revealed through His Son. Can we, while in a cold, lifeless condition, appreciate these truths?
The gospel of Christ was preached to the Jewish nation. Had they accepted its truths, it would have proved their salvation. Through belief in Christ they might have become members of the royal family, manifesting through the succeeding ages the riches of His grace. But they, as a nation, rejected Christ, refused His offers of mercy, and were cut off from the parent vine, that the Gentiles might be grafted in. Still it is their privilege to become partakers with the Gentiles of the salvation of God. Belief in Christ will work in every man a transformation of character.
Through the transforming grace of Christ, the fruits of the Spirit are made manifest in the life of those who were once dead in trespasses and sins. In disposition, in words, and in actions, they are seen to be partakers of the divine nature. This wonderful grace was revealed to Paul, and he worked constantly that others might be brought to a knowledge of these saving truths.
To Jew and Gentile alike was the gospel preached under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The middle wall of partition that had separated the Jews was broken down in Christ Jesus. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).—Manuscript 111, October 22, 1906, “A Warning Against Formation.”
The Upward Look p. 309
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mike and Larry as they travel today. LS
—-Jamie needs prayer. please pray for her, her 6 year old son was just killed in a car accident hit by tractor trailer. Arlene
—-Urgent prayer request. Toms aunt Cathy was admitted to hospital this morning with covid and pneumonia. She had a sinus infection and was on antibiotics when she was exposed. She is not doing well. Darla
—-Thank you all who prayed for me about my having sepsis. I went to my doctor and got another blood test and my sepsis is gone! I thank God for healing me! I praise his Holy name! Connie
—-Please pray for Elijah that God will guide in his life. Rose
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Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to December more this year than ever before, as Esther will have her third baby then. She is so enjoying feeling baby Jonathan moving inside her even though she is at the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. Knowing that a baby can hear the mother and feel her touch in the womb, she talks to him and sings to him while rubbing her expanded belly. She can hardly wait until she can actually hold him in her arms and cuddle her little one.
I remember those feelings. When my children were born, I had such love for them. As I looked upon that tiny babe, there was a bond, a special love that nothing else can match. Now that they are grown, I still have that same love for them. It does not change. God’s love and care for us is even deeper than our love could ever be. God’s love never changes. He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Isa 49:15,16;66:13